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Rally tonight to defend union reps facing sack after council removes facility time

Trade unionists in the South West are this evening being asked to join a rally in Swindon to defend UNISON members facing dismissal.

In February, Swindon Borough Council voted to remove funding for UNISON facility time and began consultation to dismiss the union’s joint branch secretaries, Bob Cretchley and Karla Bradford.

Despite the consultation on the dismissals finishing in early June the two branch secretaries have still not heard the outcome and wait in limbo to find out what may happen to them.

The branch is this evening lobbying the full council meeting at 6pm, and is calling for people to join in. The plan is to meet at the front entrance of the Civic Offices, Euclid Street, Swindon, SN1 2JH with banners and flags.

UNISON regional secretary Joanne Kaye said: “We want to remind Swindon council that this situation is far from resolved. It is as vital that we continue with the campaign that has been running in the branch since these proposals were first raised and that Swindon Borough Council is made aware of the strength of feeling in our union, as well as making sure that other authorities do not decide to follow suit.”